Prof. Marisol Martín-González
Main Researcher – Group Leader
Prof. Marisol Martín-Gonzalez, a research Professor at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), spearheads the FINDER group, dedicated to developing groundbreaking energy recovery technologies. Her research focuses on harnessing energy from underutilized sources, such as body heat or movement, to self-charging devices for wearables and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. This innovative approach not only reduces reliance on batteries but also contributes significantly to environmental sustainability by minimizing carbon dioxide emissions.
Her outstanding contributions in green energy harvesting and electrochemistry are evident in her work. Prof. Martín-Gonzalez has pioneered a unique method for producing metamaterials, which has led to the emergence of novel properties in her large area 3D alumina templates (Nature Comm. 2004) via anodization. This innovation has resulted in the development of magnetic materials for space radiation shielding, thereby potentially extending the lifespan of electronic components in such hostile environments. Her work also includes the creation of triboelectric nanogenerators that offer four times the energy generation compared to bulk material, and the elimination of all phonons to enhance the thermoelectric properties of the material. These advancements are being utilized to power wearable Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Furthermore, these 3D networks are being explored as all-day radiative coolers on building roofs, providing a cooling effect without the need for electricity. She has developed new technologies such as a Scanning Thermal Microscope and a system based on the photoacoustic effect to measure thermal conductivity at the nanoscale. She has also developed a unique sputtering technique (Pulsed Hybrid Reactive Magnetron Sputtering) for manufacturing selenides with world record efficiency (Adv. Energy Mater cover, 2018), which is currently being scaled up to the industry level under her ongoing ERC Advanced Grant.
Prof. Martín-Gonzalez has a distinguished career, holding key positions at CSIC, including Scientific Coordinator of the Global Matter Area. She is a respected member of the scientific community, recognized as a Corresponding Academician of the Royal Academy of Science, elected member of the European Thermoelectric Society, and recipient of the Research Excellence award from the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Margarita Salas Medal for outstanding PhD supervision (9 Doctoral Thesis supervised and 4 on-going. Most of the doctors now have permanent scientific positions in different institutions around the world and in Spain. Three have obtained an ERC Consolidator Grant, 1 a SFr.1.000.000 PRIMA grant (the Swiss version of the ERC) and 1 of them the MIT Prize for Young Talent in Energy).
Her research excellence is further evidenced by her successful acquisition of over €10 million in competitive funding, including two prestigious ERC grants (Consolidator and the mentioned Advanced), and her involvement in numerous impactful research projects. These projects have resulted in significant advancements and in 8 patents, leading to the development of innovative devices and systems and the creation of a successful spin-off company, AD+Particles, which marketed worldwide a product based on one of her patents used to produce nano-free sunscreen creams. Additionally, her work has led to the development of thermoelectric Arduino-controlled system for chilling beverage taps, positively impacting the manufacturer’s sales or a thermoelectric prototype for exhaust gas pipes for REPSOL. She has established other major collaborations, highlighting the ones with Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering, School of Engineering, RPI, USA; with Mechanical Engineering, MIT, USA; with the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, and Prof. Antonio Miguel Lopez co-founder of the FutureSiSens Company, where he develops the electronics of the gas sensors – collaboration setting up a low input DC-DC converter; and with LEITAT, an expert on textile development and scaling-up. She has been member of the evaluation panel of the ERC Synergy grants (June-Nov 2024, 2022 &2020) & ERC Advanced Grant (Oct 2024), reviewer for tenure and promotion cases in RPI & Purdue USA, INL Portugal, and ICREA Spain; she is member of 21 scientific committees of top international conferences in her field, and IMDEA Nano’s and Materials’ board member.
Beyond her pioneering research, Prof. Martín-Gonzalez is deeply committed to promoting diversity in STEM fields, actively engaging in outreach programs to inspire young women and foster a more inclusive scientific community.